Aiming to score high
James Worrall, 29, wants to be the first football agent in Britain with an MBA.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."I wanted to become a football agent because I enjoy negotiating contracts, selling ideas and persuading people. My strategy was to phone all the licensed football agents in Britain. A lot of them put the phone down. One guy took my call and said why don't you come and meet me tomorrow. So I went round to his house the next day. It was a big mansion in Hampstead and he was on the phone to Terry Venables when I walked in and I thought `This is what I want to do'.
About three months later he asked me if I would like to become involved in the business. At the time Liverpool University announced its footballing industries MBA, I was on the point of joining him full-time. He agreed to sponsor my MBA.
The course has been great because it has given me a thorough understanding of the footballing industry and some very good, high-profile footballing contacts. I also continue to manage three players - a Spurs player, a Bournemouth player and the under-21 captain for Wales - for the agency.
I will be the only agent in Britain with an MBA. Nobody else will have that business background and grounding behind them.
My ambition is to be an ethical football agent. A lot of agents these days are intent on taking as much money from the game as possible. Whereas from every fee I earn from a player, 50 per cent will go back into grass roots football. So I am going to sell my image based on that."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments